BAPTISM: What It Means Its Importance To You BY DON McFARLAND [][][]       [][][]

What Baptism Is Not: BAPTISM IS NOT:    A Sacrament.    The word sacrament implies saving grace. Baptism does not save. BAPTISM IS NOT:    The means of salvation.    To all those who would try to use baptism for this reason, God's Word speaks forth a resounding rebuke:    "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to [H]is mercy [H]e saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;" Titus 3:5.    God declares emphatically that we are saved by grace (God's unmerited favor) through faith in His Son.    "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."   Eph. 2:8,9. WATER CANNOT CLEANSE OUR SINS:    God tells us sin is cleansed only by the blood of His Son.

"In whom we have redemption through [H]is blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" Col. 1:14.    "without the shedding of blood [there] is no remission."   Heb. 9:22.    Baptism is not in any way essential for the salva- tion of the soul. What Baptism Is For: BAPTISM IS FOR:    All who have received Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.    No where in the Bible does God tell anyone who has not personally trusted His Son as Saviour to be baptized.   But, to be baptized is the first thing that God demands and expects of all those who have asked Jesus to come into their hearts [lives] and save them.    "and many of the Corinthians hearing believ- ed, and were baptized."   Acts 18:8.    "Then they that gladly received [H]is [W]ord were baptized:" Acts 2:41.    "what doth hinder me to be baptized?   And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest."   Acts 8:36,37.    Baptism is for: all those who desire to follow in the

footsteps of their Saviour.    "Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of [by] John in Jordan."   Mark 1:9 What Baptism Is:    BAPTISM IS: A Burial.    Sprinkling will not suffice.   God commanded us to be completely buried under the water.    "Therefore we are buried with [H]im [Jesus] by baptism into death:" Romans 6:4.    "Buried with him [Jesus] in baptism," Col. 2:12.    BAPTISM IS: A Picture Story.    It reminds us of the death, burial, and resurrec- tion of Jesus for our sins.    "Christ died for our sins according to the scrip- tures; And that [H]e was buried, and that [H]e rose again the third day" I Cor. 15:3,4.    You were "Buried with [H]im in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [H]im through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised [H]im from the dead."   Col. 2:12.    BAPTISM IS: A declaration that you personally believe that as Jesus died, was buried, and rose again the third day, that you will also be raised in the

last day when the trump of God calls His children home.    BAPTISM IS: A public commitment to be an open disciple of the Lord.    It is by this that we can show to all whose side we are now on.    BAPTISM IS: The expression of your desire to walk in the newness of the eternal life that God has given you.    "Therefore we are buried with [H]im by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."                                                                   Romans 6:4. What Baptism Does:    Baptism unites you to the local New Testament (Baptist) Church.    "Then they that gladly received [H]is word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [the church] about three thousand souls."                                                                  Acts 2:41.    Baptism separates you from your old life, with its sinful desires and lusts.    "For if we have been planted together in the

likeness of [H]is death, we shall be also in the likeness of [H]is resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [H]im, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."   Romans 6:5,6.    Baptism enables you to enter into the joy that awaits you in serving the Lord as a member of His Church.    Seeing then the importance and the true meaning of Baptism, WON'T YOU PRESENT YOURSELF THIS LORD'S DAY AS A CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM?    Enter now into the joy and fullness of your salvation, and hear God speak to you: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."                                                       Matthew 3:17. Tract # C-405 Order From: Tabernacle Baptist Church 1911 34th St., P.O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452 Send payment with order and we pay the postage! If total order is less than $5.00, add .50 cents. 15 for $2.00     100 for $ 5.00     500 for $18.00 50 for $3.00    250 for $10.00    1,000 for $28.00 [][] All foreign add 20% and send U.S. funds [][] For current discount prices send stamped envelope!

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